Youngsters have a say in Frostbite series

THE END of the year brought increased competition for regular sailors in the Dell Quay SC Frostbite series from several younger members back home for the holidays.

In the first race, a brisk force four to five westerly wind produced a reaching start from the club start/finish line with the tide still flooding. This was race five in the 12-race series and Bob Marshall and Neil Bryant in the RS400 soon established a lead, but a capsize at one of the gybe marks put paid to their chances.

The rising wind caused several other capsizes but the turnout remained high with only one starter fewer for the second race.

Young sailors Stu Denyer and Ben Hoddy stayed close to the front in their RS200 but it was Rob Corfield and Chris Campbell in the RS400, making the most of some fast spinnaker reaches, who took line honours.

First place on handicap went to Malcolm Buchanan sailing his new Solo, with Warwick Hoddy and John Denyer second in a 2000 and Stu Denyer/Ben Hoddy hanging on to third place. In race six, with the tide pushing the overly-keen starters over the line, a general recall was required. All three RS400s had problems, with two capsizing and Peter King and Jamie Prescott dragging their jammed spinnaker in the water towards the lea shore.

All recovered with King and Prescott just managing to finish first on the water ahead of Ben Chrystal and Robert Cobden sailing the club’s RS Vision.

First place on handicap again went to Buchanan with Chrystal and Cobden a close second. Phoebe Noble, now sailing a Laser Radial and having moved steadily up the Dell Quay fleet, took third place. Races seven and eight take place this Saturday (Jan 10) with a 1.30pm start.